Work-ejecting mechanism for printing machines



Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

umren stares PAIENT" Fries.

WALTER B. PAYNE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE TODD OOLIVIIRANY, INC., OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

WORK -iEJ'EGTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES.

Application filed December 10, 1923. Serial No. 679,624. 7

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER B. PAYNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lvork Ejecting Mechanism for Printing Machines; and I do hereby dec'larethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description'of the "same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to'the reference numerals marked thereon.

This invention relates to printing ma-- chines and more particularly to those oomprising mechanism for ejecting the work upon completion of the printing operation iorclearing the machine and suitably dlsposing of the completed work, one object of the invention being to provide a machine of the above character havin'g an efficient ejecting mechanism automatically brought into operation by the means for controlling the operation of the machine and including means for automatically terminating the action-of the ejecting mechanism after a predetermined -period. Another object is to provide a printing'machine of the character described with a practical ejecting mechanism automatically brought into operation at the proper time and automatically stopped as the work passes out of the machine regardless of the lengthot thework. A furthcr object is to provide apparatus of time nature in which the printing and ejecting mechanisms-are drivenfby gpower means such as an electric motor.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims a't'the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinalelevation of a mav chine embodying the present invention, partly broken away and with the casing in section to disclose theworkmg parts;

Fig. 2 is 'a top plan View of a controlling member and dial detached;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation substantially on the hue 33 in Fig. 1

showing the actuating connection between the motor and the printing and ejecting mechanisms;-

Fig. & is a transverse sectional elevation substantially on the line l P in Fig. 1, showing the ejecting mechanism in neutral or inactive position; i i

. Fig. 5 is a similar view but substantially on the line '5 *5 in Fig. 1 and showing the ejecting mechanism in the course of ejecting the work; Y j

Fig. 6 isa fragmentary View of parts of the ejecting mechanism at the completion of an ejecting operation; I

Fig. 7 is a similar view'after the operation of the ejecting mechanism has been auto matically terminated;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section elevation of parts substantially as viewed from the.

lines 8 8 in Fig. 4:. p 7

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts. a

The invention is illustrated in the present instance as applied to a printing machine of the variety commonly known as a check writing machine and adapted for printing monetary or other legends on checks drafts and similar forms, the present machine be' ing one fully shown and described in my copending application for Patent, Ser. No.

selected type'form and platen. In this -1nanner the various words composing a desired legend are printed by the successive impression of the corresponding type forms after which the work is removed or ejected from the machine. The selective movement described is efiected by manual means while the rotary printing of the parts is produced by an intermittent connection with the drivmg motor preferably controlled by the same I manual means employed to-select the type.

The ejectingmechanism comprises a pair of rollers one of which is driven by the motor of the machine while one of these rollers is movable toward and from the. other to engage the work from opposite sides and feed it therebetween. Such relative movement of the rollers to operating position is accomplished by a connection with the type selecting or control member whenever the latter is moved to the position normally occupied by it at the completion oi. a printing operation and the ejecting mechanism comprises an automatic device restrained by engagement with the work for terminating its own operation as the end of the work is ejected from the machine. The ejecting action is thus automatically started in the normal operation of the machine and continues regardless of the length of the work untll the latter is completely ejected when its operation is automatically terminated.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings the printing machine is shownas com prising a base portion 10 having at its top a work bed 11 and on which is supported an upper casing portion 12. Slots 13 are provided on opposite sides of the machine between the base and upper casing through which the work is ted at one side of the machine and ejected at the other. Journaled at its ends in the end walls of the upper casing portion is a main shaft 17 on which is splined a type carrier 18 of generally cylindrical shape and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced. circumferentially extending type forms 19. A yoke20 having its ends sliding on the shaft and embracing the ends of the carrier serves as a means for selectively shifting the carrier. The yoke itself is shifted by means of a bracket 21 thereon extendin through a slot in the top of the casing, Fig. 4, and cariying a manual member or handle 22 provided with a pointer 23 cooperating with a dial 24 on the top of the casing. This dial is marked with characters corresponding to the type forms on the carrier and by moving the controlling member 22 to register the pointer with one of the dial characters, the corresponding type form is brought to printing position opposite a platen wheel 25 on the base. By a suitable control mechanism connected with member 22 and oper ated by a slight depression of the latter, the main shaft 17 is connected to a gear 26 rotated continuously on the main shaft by gearing connecting the same with the driving motor indicated at 27. This control mechanism and driving connection, as fully shown and described in my said eopending application, serve to rotate thetype carrier through one complete revolution and then to arrest the same in initial position ready tor a subsequent selective adjustment by handle 22.. i

Platen 25 is rotatably supported in a yoke 28 fixed on a rock shaft 29 journaled .in the base and rocked by suitable connection with the main shaft, as described in said copending application, tor raising the platen through an opening in the printing bed to press the work against the selected typ form as the latter passes (luring rotation of the carrier.

F or holding the work on the work bed against inadvu'tent movement during thc printing operation and to guide the same as it is fed by the printing couple, there is preferably provided a shaft 30, Figs. 1 and 5. having fixed thereon a pair of arms 31 pivotally supporting a carriage 32 on which a plurality of work engaging and guiding rolls 3-3 are rotatably carried. Spring means 33 connecting the base and shat't tend to rock the latter and press the rolls toward a guard plate 33* on the casing against which the rolls press the work to hold and guide the same. Shaft 30 extends adjacent one end of the machine where it is bent substantially horizontally and transversely as at 34, Figs. 1 and 4. The end of this transverse portion is turned upwardly adjacent the longitudinal center of the base as at 35 through an opening in the work bed. The end of this upright portion is beveled as at 86 for engagement with a portion 37 of an arm of the yoke 20. It is to be noted that the end character of the dial 24, Fi 2, is the word Release, and when the pointer is brought to this character the yoke is shifted to position to engage and depress portion 35 of shaft 30 which is therebv rocked to lower the work engaging rolls 33 and free the work for ejection from the machine. The above parts are all shown and described in detail. in my said copending application and a more particular description of the same herein appears unnecessary to an understanding of the present invention.

The ejecting mechanism comprises a roller 38 rotatably supported by a bracket 39 fixed on the wall of the upper casing portion in such position opposite the printing point that its circumference is slightly spaced from the upper side of the work as the latter rests on its bed. This roller is fixed on the end of the shaft 40 rotatably supported in the casing and extending at its other end adjacent the connection described above with the driving motor. Gear 26, which is continuously driven by the motor and to which the type carrier is intermittently clutched, is mounted on a sleeve 41 rotatably supported by the main shaft and having fixed thereon a gear 42 with which meshes an idle gear 43 rotatably supported on a suitable bracket 44. Gear 4-3 meshes with a gear 45 fixed on the end-of shaft 40 so that the latter and the upper ejecting roller 38 are continuously rotated while the machine is in use.

Fixed on the side wall of the base, Figs. t and 5 is a bracket 46 supporting a spindle 47 on which is pivotally supported a yoke 48 between the spaced arms of which a lower ejector roller 49 is rotatably carried, the yoke having also a cross part 48. Loosely mounted on spindle 47 also is a second yoke comprising a cross member 50 and at one side an extended arm 51. loiled about spindle 4:7 is a spring 52 hearing at one end against cross part 418 of the roller yoke 48 and at its other end against a cross part 59" of the yoke 50. The roller yoke 18 has a tail portion 53 hearing against cross part 50, this arrangement being such that elevation. of arm 51 tends, through the spring 52, to yicldably elevate roller 49 for engagement with the under side of the work to press the latter against the upper roller 38. Arm 51 and its roller are raised and released as hereafter described.

The lower roller 19 is raisedbv an actuating connection with the type selecting or control handle 22, whenever the latter is moved to release position. For this purpose the work guide shaft 30, which is rocked,

.as already described, by movement ofthe control handle to such position, has fixed thereto an arm 5 1- to which is pivota'lly con- 'nected a link 55 extendingtransversely of the machine and pivotally connected at its other 'end 56 with an intermediate portion of a lever 57 pivoted at 58 on a part of the base. Lever 57 extends longitudinally of the machine and has a'bifurcated end loosely embracing the lower end of an arm 59 itself loosely pivoted on the spindle a7. This arm has a shoulder portion 60 arranged for actuating engagement with a shoulder 61 on an arm 62 the upper end of which is pivoted on a spindle 63 carried by yoke arm '51. A tension spring "64, Fig. '6, connects arms 59 and'62 'to urge theminto engagement with each other, it being apparent from this description that by the movement of the control handle to Release position, arm 59 is swung inwardly of the machine from the position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 5, and that in such movementthe cooperating shoulders of arms 59 and 62 serve to push the latter arm upwardly and thereby elevate yoke arm '51 and the lower roller. The latter is thus moved through the opening in "the work bed to engage and press the work against the rotating upper roller and the work is thus fed and ejected from the machine so long as the parts remain in such position. Means are provided, however, for automatically disestablishing or tripping the actuating connection described above as raising the lower roller to active position, for eliecting the return of the roller out of contact with the work, this automatic device being restrained by engagement with the work so that it operates to terminate the ejecting action when the end of the work leaves the machine.

The releasable connection between arms 59 and 62 forms a trip which may be sprung by swinging arm 62 so that its shoulder disengagcs the shoulder 60 of arm59, as shown tor example in Fig. 7. To this end arm 62 is formed with a vertical slot '64 through which projects a pin 65 carried at the lower end. of a plate 66 itself formed with a slot 67 receiving spindle 63 carriedby the arm 51 so that plate 66 has a. limited vertical movement relative to arm 62 and also a pivotal movement with the latter about spindle 63. Pin 65 is engaged by a lever 68 pivoted at 69 on a bracket on the base and connected by a tension spring 7 0 with arm '51. The latter has a foot 71 resting on lever 68 and these'parts are so constructed and arranged as shown that when arms 62 and 51 occupy their low. er position as in Figs. 4 and 7 plate 66 also drops to its lower position relative to; these arms. When the latter and the lower roller are raised however by meansof arm 59 as in Fig. 5, spring 7 0 is tensioned to raise lever 68 against pin65 to urge plate 66 upwardly. The latter is provided with a finger 72 arranged to be'thus projected, as shown in Fig. 5, into contact with the lower side ol the work indicated at 73 Spring is so proportioned that this upward movement of the plate is .readily restrained by the work which is engaged by the plate finger adjacent that portion supp ortedby the upper roller. Then the end of the work passes the finger the latter is released for elevation to the position shown in Fig. 6, in'which posi: tion it is engaged by a .pin 74 carried by the upper roller and, swung toward the left. Such pivotal movement 'of'the plate, by reason of the engagement of its pin "65 with arm 62, likewise swings thelatter out of engagement with arm '59 thereby springing the trip and eilecting the return of the lower roller by gravity to inactive position.

The operation ofthe machine has already been explained in connection with the de-,

scription of the construction and it is apparent that upon completing the impression of the legend on the work, control member'22 is moved to release position and through the connection described simultaneously lowers the work holding'and guiding rollers 33 and elevates the lower ejecting roller 49, thus starting the ejecting operation automatically in the normal operation of the machine. The rotation of the upper ejecting roller by the connection described with the driving motor produces an ejecting movement of the work which continues until the end of the latter passes out of the machine when the automatic device coml prising finger 72 previously restrained by engagement with the work, operates auto? matically 'totrip the parts holding the lower roller elevated in active position and the latter drops and discontinues the ejecting action.

The invention thus provides an automatic positive and reliable ejecting mechanism capable of handling work of varying dimensions within the limits of this type of machine. The work is ejected by the action of rollers of substantial width capable of maintaining the alignment of the work and these rollers are also so disposed as to be normally out'o'f the path of the work and so to avoid obstruction of the latter during insertion in the machine anddiiring printing. lVhile in this embodiment the machine is actuated by a power driven motor it is obvious that the machine could be driven by the gears 75 and 76, Fig. 1, on the main shaft and on a shaft 77 arranged for the application of a hand crank, as in one modilication of the machine.

Iclaim as my invention 1. The combination with a printing apparatus and means for driving the same, of work ejecting mechanism therefor comprising an actuating connection with said driving means, manually actuated control means for starting the operation of said ejecting means, and an automatic device set by said control means for terminating the operation of said ejecting means.

2. The combination with a printing apparatus of a pair of work ejecting rollers one of which is movable toward and from the other to engage the work from opposite.

sides and feed it therebetween, means for rotating one of said rollers, and mechanism the return of said movableroller to inactive position.

3. The combination with a printing apparatus comprising a manual operating means, of-a pair of work ejecting rollers one of which is movable-toward and from the other to engage the work from opposite sides and feed it therebetween, means for rotating one of. said rollers, and mechanism actuated by said manual means for moving said movable roller to position for. active cooperation with the other comprising avde vice for automatically eiiecting the return of said movable roller to inactive position.

4. The combination with a printing apparatus comprising work engaging and guiding means, a manually movable meme ber provided with means for actuating said guiding means to release the work, of a pair of work ejecting rollers one of which is movable toward and from the other to engage the work from opposite sides and feed it therebetween, means for rotating one of said rollers, mechanism actuated by said manual member coincidently with the releasing actuation of said guiding means for moving said movable roller to position for active cooperation with the other, and a new vice for automatically effecting the return of said movable roller to inactive position.

5. The combination with a printing apparatus comprising a manually operable member movable selectively to a plurality of positions for controlling the operation ol' said apparatus, of work ejecting means movable toward and from active position and provided with means for driving the same, mechanism actuated by the movement oft-said member to one of said positions for moving said ejecting means to active position, and a device for automatically clieeo ing the return of said ejecting means to inactive position.

6. The combination with a printing apparatus comprising a manually operable member movable selectively to a plurality of positions for controlling the operation of said apparatus, of a pair of work ejecting rollers one of which is movable toward and from the other to engage the work from opposite sides and feed it therebetween, means for rotating one of said rollers, mechanism actuated by the movement of said member to one of said positions for moving said movable roller to position for active cooperation with the other, and a device for automatically effecting the return of said movable roller to inactive position.

7. The combination with a printing apparatus having a work supporting bed, of an upper work ejecting roller rotatably supported above said bed and adjacent but normally spaced from the upper side of the work, means for rotating said roller, a lower roller rotatably and movably supported below an opening in said bed, mechanism for moving saidlower roller to press the work against said rotating upper roller to feed the work therebetween, and an automatic 7 trip for said mechanism for effecting a return of said lower roller to inactive position.

8. The combination with a printing apparatus comprising a continuously running driving motor and a work supporting bed. of an upper Work ejecting roller rotatably supported above said bed and adjacent but normally spaced from the upper side of the work, a connection between said motor and roller for rotating the latter, a lower roller rotatably and movably supported below an opening in said bed, manually operable mechanism for moving said lower roller to press the work against said rotating upper roller to feed the work therebetween, and an automatic trip for said mechanism for effecting a return of said lower roller to inactive position.

9. The combination with a printing apparatus comprising a continuously running driving motor, of a pair of Work ejecting rollers one of which is movable toward and from the other to engage the work from op ill!) posite sides and feed it therebetween, a connection between said motor and one of said rollers for rotating the same, manually 0perable mechanism for moving said movable roller to position for active cooperation with the other, and a device driven by the motor for automatically returning said movable roller to inactive position.

10. The combination with a printing apparatus and means for driving the same, of

work ejecting mechanism comprising an actuating connection with said driving means, manually actuated control means for starting the operation of said e ecting mechanism, and a device restrained by engagement with the work for automatically terminating the operation of said mechanism upon ejection of the work.

11. The combination with a printing apparatus and means for driving the same, of work ejecting mechanism comprising an actuating connection with said driving means, a trip control means for setting said trip to start operation of said mechanism, and a device restrained by engagement with the work for springing said trip to automatically terminate the operation of said mechanism upon ejection of the work.

12. The combination-with a printing apparatus and means for driving the same, of work ejecting mechanism comprising a pair of rollers one of which is movable toward and from the other to engage and feed the Work therebetween, an actuating connection with said driving means for rotating one of said rollers, control means for moving said movable roller toward said other roller provided with a trip, a device restrained by engagement with the work for actuating said trip to efiect return of said roller, and means actuated by one of said rollers for moving said device upon release of the latter by ejection of the work.

WALTER B. PAYNE. 

